Truck side frame



Feb. 4, 1930. T. H. sYMlNGToN TRUCK SIDE FRAME" Filed Nov. 5. 1924 Patented ret. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE COMPANY, F NEW YOBIK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION MARYLAND "rnUcx sinn Enum Application led November 3, 1924. Serial No. 747,638.

The invention relates to side frames for cartrucks and more particularly-to cast steel side frames having journal boxes integral with said side frames.

The princi al object of the invention, generally consi ered, `is to provide a simple, strong and reliable construction of the type youtlined in which the truss lmembers are so .formed that the neutral axes of the truss members intersect substantially on the line of ap lication ofthe major load.

- till another object of the invention is to provide, in a car truck of the character described, a truss formation in which the intersection of theneutral axes of the truss meml bers is so located as to reduce to a minimum the moment arm of the forces which are apliedapproximately at the top of the journal 20.. A further object ofthe invention is to so form` the truss portions of the cast steel side frame of the typedescribed that the secondary 'stresses set up therein by the elastic deforma- Ytion lof thev parts arecountenbalanced by in` creasing the cross-sectional area, the crosssectional area of the truss, members increasing from theJ points of contraiiexure to points adjacent the journal box and strut members.

A still further object of my construction is 80 to provide in a side frame of the class described means b which the longitudinal forces transmitte to the journal boxes due to end thrust or brake Aapplication will bev transmitted to the truss member of the side 35 frame b 'a strut arranged substantially parallel wit the direction of application of said forces.

To these and other ends the invention com `prises the'various elements and combinations .0 of elements as hereinafter set forth.

l In the drawings which' I have chosen to illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is a view partially 1n side elevation and partially in longitudinal vertical ysection of a truck side frame;

Figure 2 is a' top plan view, of one of the end portions of the construction illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional 59 view taken on line' 3-3 of Figure 1, the direction of view bein indicated by the arrows adjacent the ends o said section line;

Figure 4 is a vtransverse vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2, the direction of view beiner indicated by the arrows ad'acent theends of said section line; and

igure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view looking downwardly, the section being taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

`hrougliout the specification and drawings like parts are designated by like reference characters.

Thetruck side frame 1 is of cast metal,

preferably cast steel, provided with a cam ered'compression member 2, a tension member 3, and a strut member or bolster guide columns 44, all of said parts being integrally connected. The strut 4 serves to form the window or bolster and bolster spring seat opening 5l of the side frame. The compres-l sion and tension or truss members 2 and 3 of the side frame are provided with flanges which extend from their lateral edges, the said flanges being connected at certain portions so as to form the side walls 6 of the side frame, the anges of the tension member changing from upstanding iianges outwardly of the guide columns to depending flanges between said guide columns. The construction might be described by stating that the lateral edges of the compression and tension members or the webs thereof are connected by side walls 6, the said side walls being interrupted by openings 7 7. The'corresponding openings in each side. wall are located between the adjacent strut 4 and the end of the side frame.` The walls 8 of the openings 7 are arranged at an angle to, rather than parallel with, the portions of the compression `and tension members and each wall 8 is preferably reinforced by an outturned marginal flange '9 which preferably surrounds the entire opening. The purpose and object of thus shaping the openings will be hereinafter explained.

At the opposite ends of the side frame 1 there are provided journal boxes 10,'said jour-4 nal boxes being formed as integral portions of the side frame.l In order to reduce the moment arm of the transverseand longitudinal forces which are applied approximately at the top 11 of each journal box, I so form the top member that adjacent each inner Wall 12 the said journal boxes are intersected by ia tension member 3; that is, the intersection of the plane of the tension member with each 'ournal box is belw the plane of the roof 11.

am enabled to so form the journal boxes by sloping the adjacent' portion of the roof downwardly from Athe inner face of the adjacent Wedge guideand brass lug 13. This construction, which is clearly illustrated in Figure 4,-does not interfere with the application of the wedge and at the same time enables the top of the journal box to be placed relatively close to the point of intersection of the neutral axes 14 and 15, respectively, of the A tension and compression members, the said neutral axes being illustrated in the crosssectional portion of Figure l by correspondingly numbered dot and dash lines. This chamfering or sloping of the roof of each journal box is preferably continued between the side walls of the frame, as indicated in Figure 1, and from the back or inner side wall to the dust guard well, as illustrated in Figure 2. X It will also be observed that the point of intersection of the neutral axes is disposed at a relatively low level on the vertical axis ofthe said journal box, which Vmaterially reduces the stresses transmitted to the side frame by the weight of the car and the movements of' the car incident to service. This arrangement is effected by sloping the roofs of the boxes, thereby permitting the disposition of the tenl sion and compression members with their neutral axes disposed at relatively low levels. .A Each of the side walls 12 of the journal boxes 10 is connected to the adjacent tensionv member by a pair of webs 16, the said webs being spaced inwardly from the outer faces 6 of the said side frame and having their lower faces in alinement with the plane of the the load thereto.

journal bearing (not shown), or the axis thereof, whereby the dynamic forces transmitted to the side walls 12 of each journal box, due to brake application, etc., are transmitted to a large area of the tensionr member and thus dissipated or neutralized without causingthe hinging action of the journal box about the lane of intersection of the tension member with the side wall.

Inra trusswhere lthe points fof connection.v

truck, there is always deformation cause T5;

inthe truss members by the application "of This deformation is due to the elastic yield of the truss n1embers.

' The elastic yield of the truss member causes lsecondary stresses to beset up in the truss members, which secondary stresses increase 1n both directions from the intersection of the normal line of each truss member and the deformed truss' member; thats, each truss vmember deforms in the shape of a curve which may, for convenience and without the use of technical and mathematicalterms, becalled an S curve, and at the points where the S curve intersects with the normal line of the truss member, called the points of contraiexure, it will be obvious that the secondary vstresses are zero orreduced to a minimum since at this point each truss member is in'its normal position despite the elastic deformation of other portions of the truss. I` have f which I.y have illustrated, by the formation 'I of the marginal edges of the openings 7, the

said marginal `edges being so formed that at the points of contra-fiexure, which may be designated by the letters X and Y, the depth of the flanges of the compression and tension members is reduced to a minimum and that these fianges increase in depth in both directions from the points X and Y so as to compensate for the secondary stresses and that at points adjacent the ends of the side frame where the secondary stresses are greatest and where the end portions of the tension and compression members are further subjected to twisting, wrenching and other strains, the flanges extending from eachof said members are united so as to form a closed box section giving the greatest possible lntegrally connected with and merge into the top wall of the said journal boxes. This construction materially reinforces the journal Y boxes against the forces caused by the change in angularitv of; the car axle.

It might be here pointed'out, as is clearly` evident from an inspection of Figure'l, that a plane' passed through the neutral axis of the tension member, and parallel to the web thereof when projected outwardly, actuallyintersects the adjacent side wall of the journalbox. This construction is possible only by the formation and mode'of connection between the tension member and journal boxes, as has heretofore been described. The benefits which are derived from this construction have been noted at a, previous point in the vspecification. Attention here might be called 'its end or inclined portions to inverted U- shape at its central portion beneath the bolster opening, the web shifting from a lower to an upper position.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Havingl now described my invention, whatv .I cla1m 1s:

1. In a truck side frame, the combination of tension and compression members, of journal boxes integrally connected therewith 'and provided with brass lugs, said journal boxes being disposed with the vertical axes thereof on the intersection of the neutral axes of said tension and compression" members, the lower wall of the tension member connecting with each journal box top wall substantially in line with the inner brass lug thereof.

2. In' a truck side frame, the combination with compression and tension members, of

journal boxes integrally connected thereto,

side walls integral with said tension and compression members, said side walls having openings therein, said openings being so disposed that the anges defined b their marginal edges increase, in width om points corresponding to the points of contra-iexure `of the said tension and compression members.

3. In atruck side frame, the combination with connected tension and compression members and an interposed strut, of journal` vboxes integrally connected to the end portions of said tension and compression members directly below the points of intersection of the neutral axes thereof, the planes of intersection of the lowerportion of said tension member with said journal boxesbeing below the plane of the roof of said journal boxes.

' 4. In atruck side frame, the combination with tension and compression members and Aan interposed strut, ofjournal boxes integrally connected to the-end portions of'said compression and tension members,l tlm. inner side iwalls/of said journal boxes 4being connected t`o the adjacent portions of the tension member by a plurality of webs, said webs having their lower faces y[arranged substantially parallel withthe line of thrust for dynamicforces transmitted to the adjacent side wall of'said journal boxes by the journal bearing within the same.

. y5. In a trucl: side frame, the combination v of tension and compression members, of journalboxes inte ally connected thereto, said journal boxes eing below the junctions be#A tween said members and disposed with the vertical axes thereof on the intersection of the neutral axes of said tension and compression members, the neutral axis of said tension member being adapted when projected outwardly to intersectv a wall of said journal box.

6. In a truck side frame, the combination with connected tension and compression members and an interposed strut, of journal boxes integrally connected to the end portions 'of said tension and compression members below the connections therebetween', the planes of intersection of said tension member with said journal boxes being below the plane of the roof of said boxes, and means formed on said tension member and extending laterally therefrom and integrall connected tosaid journal boxes for reinfiircing the connection therebetween.

7 In a truck side frame, the combination `with a cambered compression member, a tension member, a pair of spaced upright members integrally connected tosaid tension and.

4to effect a gradual change in cross-sectiona area, by decreasing in depth from said upright members to merge with the arms of said U substantially midway between said upright members.

`8.. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members generally U-shape in cross-section and journal ,boxes integrally'Y connected to said frame at theeends thereof, said journal boxes being disposed below the intersection ofthe neutral axes of the tension and compression members, positioned with the vertical axis of eachvsubst-antial'ly on the corresponding point of intersection of the neutral axes, and connected to the web of the compression member by transverse webs lying on said vertical axes.

9. A truck side frame comprising compression and tension members formed with webs and flanges on opposite sides of said webs,

said flanges defining openings therebetween and formed of increasing width from points vof contra-fiexure of the compression and ten-l sion members.

10. A truck side framecomprising integrally `connected tension and compression members formed with webs and iang'es on the sides thereof, a strut portion spacing intermediate portions thereof, journal boxesv integrally connected to the frame below the end portions of said tension and compression members with their vertical center lines lying approximately on the points of intersection of continuations of the normal neutral axes of said members, the lower portion of said ten`- sion member intersecting the journal boxes 5 below the plane of the uppery surface thereof.

11. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members spaced at their intermediate portions by a strut portion, journal boxes integrally connected to said compression and tension members, the inner side walls of said journal boxesbeing connected to the adjacent portions of the tension member 'by webs, the lower edges of which are positioned substantially horizontal.

12. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members, journal boxes in- @tegrally connected thereto, said journal boxes being arranged below the ends of said members and positioned with the vertical axis of each approximately on the corresponding point of'infersection between the4 neutral axes of the tension and compression members, the lower portion ofsaid tension member, when continued outwardly, intersecting the adjacent wall of the corresponding journal box.

13.' A truck side frame comprising a compression member inverted U shapein cross y section, a tension member U shape in cross sectiomthe flanges of said U sections mergmg adjacent the ends of the framejournal boxes integrally connected adjacent the ends of said frameand Vformed with brass lugs, the lower web of the/tensionmember extending to said journal boxes and connected with the l top/wallsl thereof substantially in line with the inner brass lugs. y

14.AQtruck side frame comprising a compression member formed with an upper web and depending anges from opposite edges of saidl web, a tension member formed with a lower web and upstanding ilanges from opposite ledges thereof, journal boxes integrallyA connected with said'frame adjacent the ends thereof and provided with brass lugs, vthe flanges of the compression and tension members merging adjacent the'journal boxes and extending over the 'tops thereof, the web of said tension member meeting the roofs of said journal boxes substantially at the junctions with the inner brass lugs. v

15. A truck side frame comprising 'a tension 'member formedwith a web and flan es on opposite edges of said web, said flanges eing formed of increasing width frompoints of contra-exure 'of said tension member.

16. A truck side frame comprising a compression member vformed with a web and flanges on opposite edges nof said web, said -flanges being formed" of vincreasing vgidth lfrom points of contra-flexure of sald niemer.

j 17. A truck side frame comprising, compression and tension members spa d at -invthe bolster gulde columns outwar y to the sion member and a tension member umtlng thereof, that portion vof thereof of the jourtension thereof. n

termediate portions by bolster guide columns and integrally united at their ends, said tension Amember being formed with a web and anges on opposite sides of said web, said web extending substantially strai ht from ends thereof, the free edges of saidianges, 7'

outwardly of said bolster guide columns, being curved for their entire length.

v 18. A truck side` frame comprising compression and tension members integrally 5 uniting at theirends with journal boxes and each other and "spaced at intermediate ortions by bolster guide columns, said bo ster guide columns being of minimum cross sectional area at intermediate portions thereof and increased in cross sectional narea towardthe ends thereof, the. lower ortions of said bolster guide columns being ared outwardly from the intermediate portions thereof to unite with the,end portions ofthe tension member in a direction more nearly perpendicular thereto, the ends of said tension ment b'er likewise flaring to unite With the sides ofthe boxes.

19. A side frame comprising a compresat their ends, integral journal boxes connected thereto, a web of said tension member joining with cthe inner wall of each journal f box below the roof thereof, said roof being 95 sloped to correspond with the slope of sai tension member and form a 'continuation of said web.

20. A side frame comprisin a compression member and a tension mem er joining at the ends thereof, said tension member being generally U-shaped in cross section, integral journalboxes at the ends of said frame, the web of the tension member extending to meet each journal box at the inner'side wall thereof 105 below the roof, said roofjat this point being sloped to form a continuation of the web of said member. j

21.- A side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, said members joining at the ends thereof, integral journal boxes connectedeto said members at the endsof the frame, said tension member being formed with a webintersectingthe inenr side wall of each journal box below lthe roof nal box, between said ytension member and the rear or lnner portlon of said roof, being ksloped to correspond with the slo e of said tension member to form,'in effect, a ateral ex- 1:56

l` 22.. A side frame.` adapted for use in a rail` wayI car truck comprising a compression member formed with anv upper web and depending fianges on opposite edf'ges thereof, a tensionmember formed with 'a lower web and'upstanding flanges on opposite edges thereof, vthe intermediate portion of-aid tension member being substantially horizon-A tal with end portions sloping outwardly and 130 11ers brass lugs comprising walls spaced inwardly from the side walls of the boxes and joining with said tension member, the web of said tension member extending ou'twardly` past the inner walls of said journal boxes where it is extended substantially horizontall as the roofs of said boxes, the location o the change in direction from inclined to substantially horizontal corresponding to the union j with the inner wall of the inner brass lug.

23. In a side frame, in combination, a ten-' sion member, a 4compression member, said members being connected together at an extremity of said side frame, ajournal box connected to said side frame at said extremity of said side frame, said journal box having its inner upper edge bevelled, said tension and compression,members being shaped to have their neutral axes at relatively low levels, said tension member being a channel section, the web of said tension memberbeing in substantial alignment with said bevelled edge.

24.' A side frame comprising a bolster receiving portion, a compression member connected to the upper part of said bolster receiving portion, a tension member connected tothe lower partpf said bolster receiving portion, said tension and compression memers being disposed in angular relationship with each other and being connected together vat their outer ends, a journal box Ijoined to said tension and compressin members ad-4 jacent to the point of junction of said members, saidtension and compression members comprising channel sections having their neutral axes disposed at a ,relatively low level, which neutral axes intersect substantially at. the vertical central plane of said journal box, the inner upper edge of said journal box being bevelled, the web of the A channel section of said tensionmember being disposed in substantial .alignment with said bevelled edge. 4

25. A side frame including a tension member and a compression member joined-toether at an extremity of4 said side frame, a journal box at said extremity, said tension and compression members comprising' c'nannel sections having their extremities provided with strengthening iianges,the neutral axes of said tensionand compression members being" disposed at relatiiely low levels in said tension and compression members, said neutral axes being. disposed in positions to` intersect substantially in the vertical cen tral plane of said journal'box, said journalJ box having its upper inner edge portion bev'- elled, saidv tension member havin the web portion ofv its channel section disposed inl substantial alignment with said bevelled portion of said journal box.

26. In a truck side frame, a compression member with an upper web and dependin flanges, a tension member with a lower We and upstanding iianges, journal boxes intev grally connected therewith and provided with brass lugs, said boxes being disposed with their vertical axes on the intersection of the neutral axes of said tension. and compression members, the web of said tension member connecting with each journal box top wall at approximately the point of intersection.

with the inner brass lug thereof.

27. In a truck side frame, in combination with connected tension and compression members and an interposed strut, journal boxes integrally connected to the 'end portions of said tension and compression members, said tension member extending over and joining the top of the box, each box lying with its vertical axis on the point ofintersection of the neutral axes of the tension and compression members at the corresponding end ofthe frame, the plane of intersection of the lower portion of said tension member with each journal box being below the plane of the roof of said box.

28.. A truck side frame comprising a compression member generally inverted U-shape in cross-section, a tension member generally U-shaped in cross-section, said compression and tension members being spacedI at inter mediate portions thereof by bolster guide columns and extending straight outward to the ends of the frame and united to each other andto integrally formed journalboxes adj acent each end ofvsaid frame, the connection between each journal box and the frame being strengthened by a plurality of upright laterally spaced webs extending longitudinally with the main portion of each box roof ap proximately in the vertical plane of the inner face of the adjacent brass lug.

and compression Imembers joined at their ends, journal boxes integrally connected to the frame adjacent the ends of the members, bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of the compressionand tensionmemers and defining a bolster o ening therebetween, said tension member eing formedgenerally U-shape in cross section with a web extending below the bolster opening and con- 12o 30. A truck side frame comprising tension V tinued as the lower web of said member straight from either side thereof dia onally upward from the lower corner of the olster opening to the adjacent journal box slightly' ing at their ends, journal boxes integra y connected to the frame adjacent the ends of said members, bolster'guide columns spacin intermediate portions of the compression an tension members and defining a bolster open,- ing therebetween, the upper web of said ten- .sion member below the olster opening be-v ing continued straight from either side thereof diagonally lupward as the lower web of the diagonal end portions of said tension Imember to the adjacent journal box to join v therewith sli htly below the -upper inner corner thereer v 32. A truck side frame comprising tension and 4compression members, journal boxes integrally connected to said frame adjacent the ends of said members, bolster guide columns spacin intermediate ortions of the compression an tension mem ers and defining a bolster openin therebetween, said columns having vertica web portions merging with the upper portions of the tension member beneath said bolster opening, said tension member being formed with an upper web 4extending below the bolster opening .between the vertical webs of the bolster uide columns and from there continued `straight to` either side thereof diagonally upward as the lower web of the tension member to the ad'acent journal box where it connects therewit at a .point slightly below the upper inner cornerv thereof.

33. In a-trucl; side frame, the combination with tension and compression members and an .interposed strut, of journal boxes integrally connected to the ends of said frame, thel lower portion of said tension member extendingstraig'ht out and intersectin the journal -boxes at a point slightly below ut near the lower surface of the roof of each box, and Hreinforcing gusset means extending between the lower portion of said tension memberand the adjacent side wallsof thej-journalg'boxes.

34. A truck side frame compris' compressionl and tension members forme with webs and flan es on'opposi-te sides' of said' webs, journal oxes integrall connected to l5 i the frame adj acent the ends o said members, I

nal box to join therewith slightly below they up er inner corner thereof.

n testimony whereof I affix my si ature.

THOMAS H. SYMIN G ON.

a window` opening there` 

